Sunday 31st March

Happy Easter everyone, I hope you've all had a good day and enjoyed family time and the sunshine!

Have just realised it's 8 weeks today before the Race for Life, so here's my link should you feel like sponsoring 'Team Jilly Luce' , much appreciated!

http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/teamjillyluce

 Right....back to normality with the "alternative blogsters"..enough of these dog photos....even if it is the easter cross outside Chapel after this morning's service.

We had a great Easter lunch with Nan and Pops...and we even managed to have all the family up and about before 1:00....miracles will never cease...especially as we had lost an hour.

The Boat Race was a must this afternoon.....but only once the dog had had her second walk....unfortunately, from our point of view, the wrong shade of blue prevailed... we all wish Tom had taken up rowing when he was at Cambridge...but anyone who knows him will also know that the chances of him getting up early every morning to go training were non existant....there we are...another great opportunity wasted.

We were all a little tired this morning..some had been out late, and some had been woken up at 4 (in the morning) by the phone going....it was friends of those who had been out late calling by mistake. There will be words spoken when the culprit next arrives at our house....and yes, we know who you are!!!

We invented another new phrase last night....the one who eats enough for two said he was out for supper in town...but as it would be in an hour or so he would stop and eat with us first.....in the same vein as pre-drinks (where some drinking is done before going out) Dan announced that he was "pre-eating"...where he has his tea before going out for supper. Is it any wonder that we have to restock our fridges more often than Waitrose?

We had the mower back on the go this afternoon....but it didn't last long before another part broke and the machine was stripped down for repair yet again.

The Countryfile weatherman says that this weather will continue for the week...broken only by the chance of some wintry showers maybe on Thursday. What have we done to deserve all this? Last year at easter the weather was so good that the boys put the RIB in the water and went cruising around the north coast...Dan's scheduled trip to Ecrehous was cancelled because of the strong winds, and they made the right decision....the waves in St. Catherine's this afternoon were more suited to surfing than leisure boating.

Tomorrow sees the classic car cavalcade....and Dad has promised Mum that he'll take her down at 9 to see "the off"....you can just imagine her enthusiasm...anyway, the dog may get dragged along, which is one way of maybe making sure Mum goes. Bex at work at 7 ....and no one offering to take her place 9at least it's only for 4 or 5 hours)....with the added hour that will seem like 6!!!!!

Last day of the holidays tomorrow....but Jack is still off off for the rest of the week. If this weather haolds than Dad has the troops on standby to do some more clearing outside.....we can't wait!

Saturday 30th March

Lovely photo of Jess, not so good of us!!

 Seems to me as if I get a lot of bad press on this blog, so the only way to rectify it is not let them have any access to my lap-top!!
Boy was it cold today around the east coast, I'm a bit fed up with the amount of time it takes layering up the clothes/coats/hats etc before the dog walk, still at least it was dry.
 Hubby went off to his 'meetings' one of them in St Catherine's cafe (!), and coffee boy disappeared to 'save the day' at Coopers Grand Marche. Helpdeskgirl.com spent the morning revising for her end of year exam , which is next week and already the nerves have set in.
We didn't get to Petanque this afternoon, decided far too cold to spend standing still and admiring balls.... and instead went out west again, the dog was pleased to race around the sand dunes before we collected 'suntanned face fireman' from the airport.
 He'd had a great time and fortunately no bones broken. He was home at least 20minutes, enough time to fill a laundry basket with dirty washing and have a shower before he was off out for a meal with mates!

I do hope the family are not expecting Easter eggs tomorrow- they will be sorely disappointed! A small tube of mini eggs should suffice, and none for hubby as he had double helpings of Pavlova!
 However for his supper tonight he was pleased with the small portion of fish pie  that was left over from Fridays feast- (thanks AH).

About 8weeks to go before the race for life at the end of May, and before that the diabetes North/South walk and the South Coast Challenge Mencap walk, both I have signed us up for- so we'd better have more 'practice walks' before then.

Friday 29th March

Why is it that the one morning neither of us had to get up early, we were both awake and up early- well before 7am, crazy....

....and that was the blogwoman's only contribution this evening.....poor show!

We think it's actually been quite a good Good Friday. Dad went to church..... while the Barista, helpdeskgirl (as Bex is now being called) and sporty spicewoman went off to the Merton for a workout...Tom worked hard on his beautysleep......and we all met up for a bite of lunch at about 1. After that Ma, Pa and AA took the dog and, for no apparent reason, decided to go to the sand dunes. Why they can't choose to stay a little closer to home rather than add to our carbon emissions is beyond us.....but they did enjoy themselves. The blogwoman may upload a photo in a moment (it's already appeared on dreaded facebook).....it was all thick coats and hats...and even gloves for the ladies..they managed to stay out for a hour or so. Dad and AA were pretty exhausted after that...indeed, the old man needed a little rest on the sofa when he got back.

Tom was back on the mower as they returned from the wild west dog walk.....this time attacking the upper slopes of the meadow. Dad ended up hanging out of the window shouting instructions .....as it appeared at one stage that Tom was almost certain to turn the mower over on the slopes....His words of wisdom must have struck a chord because Tom appeared back in the kitchen soon after.

Dan returned at some time just before supper (as ever, it's his stomach that brings him home). We had been blessed by a good friend making us a fish pie for our evening meal...and a pavlova the size of a small country. Bex posted a photo of said pavlova..and there were numerous comments, most hinting that others would only be too pleased to help us consume it. AA and Em arrived for supper.....and the table was extended to accommodate the additions. We had a really nice time ....great food and a good old family chat.

This evening the "olds" have been excited by having Gardener's World to watch on the TV....how sad they are.....and as we type they are trying to decide if they can bare to watch The War of the World's. Bex and Em went to see the big tide down at Gorey...but apart from the odd small splash over the wall it wasn't overly exciting apparently....  Tom and Dan are both out.....and we all have the return of the suntanned fireman tomorrow afternoon. There'll be mucho excitemento for a few minutes when he walks in... but we'll all be back to normal after a few hours.

Apart from Mum, we think that we might all be working tomorrow.....it was suggested by Mum that her and AA should go for a "proper" dog walk....that suggestion went down like a lead balloon.....AA had more sense than to try to keep up with Ma if she's in a mood for a long walk.

early to bad for all this evening as most of us have early starts tomoz.....  AA and Em have just gone home and the photo will have to wait until tomorrow apparently....too tired....and Dad is relieved as he doesn't really like the photo anyway. These days we need David Bailey is there's to be a photo that shows Dad in a better light!!

more tomorrow....

Thursday 28th. March

The sun came out today and had a strange effect on some members of the family. Dad came back from town and found that the engineer had got the mower out.....the ride on that is.(we can't ever envisage him using the push mower).....the only problem is that the cutting blade doesn't do quite what it's supposed to any more. Our reader may remember that some time ago the mower was "parked" on a large rock by someone...and the cutting blade got "reshaped". Tom recently took the "utterly useless" blade off and straightened it. However, it now appears that it is actually TOO straight...and while it cuts well...it doesn't blow the cut grass up the chute and into the grass collector. Anyway, the grass is beautifully mown....but scattered all over the lawn. Tom got all environmental and was heard to say, "what a lovely job it was doing of mulching". Coming from the most unenvironmentally sensitive person in the family that was not good.

Mum and Dad also got into the "outside" mode....well Mum did anyway. Dad followed her outside when he started to get concerned that "inappropriate" seeds were being sown in the greenhouse. By the time he got there all sorts of packets had been opened, trays filled with compost and watering cans had been replenished. The end result was that a whole list of vegetables were planted and left in the greenhouse to germinate. Radish, Beetroot, Lettuce, Onion, Spinach all got "the treatment", not to mention a whole load of various types of beans. All we need now is some heat and sunshine to kick things off......so that'll be another month at least then! The dog did her bit by running off with plastic pots and chewing them to pieces all over the garden......that was helpful.

The weatherman said today that April 10th. will be the day the heat returns....we didn't know it had arrived! The weekend looks cold....but at least dry. At least the dog walks will be dry.....freezing, but dry.

The discussion around the supper table tonight centred around the future energy requirements of the Island, and which make of car should be next on the purchase list. Mum immediately "went off on one" stating that there were absolutely no more cars being bought....until such a time as some of the existing cars have been sold. She does have a point (there is a large number of vehicles outside, many of which do not move) but we can't allow her to start dictating the car purchasing policy for the family...that would be step too far. Anyway, the various screens were fired up as soon as the table had been cleared and websites for Vintage Rolls Royces were the first option......very quickly followed by other similar marques....before ending up at looking at Austin 7's. Thomas found one called a "Chummy Convertible" that looked very smart....but we weren't at all sure if, at only ten and a half horse power, it would have the umpfff to get up the hills around Rozel. Dad then reminded us that Poppa had owned a Hillman back in the "good old days" of the 50's that refused to come up Rozel Hill....we then discussed how (given that there's a hill on either side of Rozel) Pops ever managed to get home. Anyway....will Dad ever get the old Classic car that he has been years trying to persuade Mum to let him buy?  We doubt it will happen until some of our "four wheeled friends" have been sold......sad days.

Bex out this evening at Pizza Express...lucky her....Dan off to the standard pub quiz at the Royal...and Dad trying to get to grips with a report that he needs to read before the weekend.....Mum at puppy training (when will the dog EVER learn anything?) and Tom sorting websites in between searching for "suitable classic vehicles".....Good Friday tomorrow, and nobody allowed to do anything by Dad....that should suit some of us down to the ground....others can sort out the fish!!

Wednesday 27th. March

The "good news" on the TV weather today is that the jet stream is to blame for this cold weather (and NOT politicians....according to the old man)....the BAD news is that the flippin' jet stream is set to continue for weeks...maybe months....blimey, that's not what we want to hear. We feel for the poor farmers trying to keep their animals alive under all the snow. The Isle of Man seems to be particularly bad....days and days without being able to operate...how lucky we feel to have only had to put up with blizzards for a couple of days.

There seems to be a regular stream of photos being posted from the "fireman on the slopes". This morning's offering was a photo of one of the party (no names mentioned Will Payn) standing on the window sill outside the chalet in nothing but a towel.... thumping on the window to be let in. What he was doing outside in nothing but a towel is anyone's guess. Yesterday's photo appears to be of their regular bar on the slopes. There seemed to be a man stood on a table playing a trumpet....wonderful! the sun seems to be shining and all seems well in the world of Meribel.......we're not envious (much).

Bex was back at proper work today....another result...and she actually got to speak to someone on the phone, and (almost) got to solve someone's problems......our very own little family I T help desk.

Dan hasn't been here much today....that must mean he's been making coffee? He came in and (as usual) muttered a few words and promptly went out again. No work tomorrow maybe? .....if he hasn't left a note on the kitchen island in the morning we won't be trying to wake him up.......

Mumsie did some tennis and racquetball after dog walks today......that's about it really....how does she find the time to fit some "work" into her sports schedule?

Dad was home for 2 hours this afternoon and had instructions to walk the dog. He went off to Grouville Bay, parking at the bottom of the slip at the Welcome as it's closest to the beach....and (hopefully) less difficult to get her back in the car at the end of the walk. Off they went (Dad and Jess, that is) and 40 minutes later were down at the other end of the Bay....Dad said that he watched his old tractors coming up the beach laden with oysters....and subconciously twigged that the tide must be on the way up. Dad plus dog were half way back when "the old man" apparently noticed that the tide really was coming in quite fast.....2 minutes later he realised that up ahead (still quite a way off) that he really had left the car right at the bottom of the slip.....and that the water was making it's way up the sand at "a rate of knots". Anyway, he put a spurt on (we were starting to fall around laughing at this stage) and just managed to get there in time. That would have looked good....retired oyster farmer and lifeboatman mistimes the tide and gets his car submerged.

That's about it....AA has turned up this evening for a family chat....after the usual "catch up", this evening's subject was "the state of (single) boys bedrooms".....once they got going there was no stopping Maa and Aunty.....we thought it best to leave the room and let them get on with it. It'll take more than a couple of "polite telling offs" to get any of the single males in our respective familys to do a better job of putting their clothes anywhere than in a heap on the floor!!!         

Dad on the radio at 7 tomorrow morning.....by the time our reader has seen this blog it will be old news.....c'est la vie.

Tuesday 26th March

For some reason my phone is refusing to co-operate with my lap-top in the unloading  of photos.... so disappointedly unless I can get an IT expert on the case I cant add my high class photographic scenes to the blog.

We are all worn out tonight, hubby has been in and out to various meetings today, finishing off with a 'housing' one at the Public Hall.

Tom has been 'working' but all indoors, far too cold for him to venture outside  and watching tonight's football match of course.

The pictures of the skiing fraternity have been 'posted' at regular intervals, including an aerial shot of a ski pole firmly embedded in the deep snow, whilst it's owner apparently was continuing his journey up the chair lift!


 Not seen much of the coffee boy today, but when told to take his shoes off in the house in case they were muddy he said they weren't and if anything they were covered in coffee- so not entirely sure if he makes coffee or just walks around in it....

The IT girl has been wishing she was in her placement today after she saw the list of jobs I gave her, including polishing and then returning her trophies to Beaulieu. (One of them an IT trophy!)

Jess and I have been at puppy training tonight, no major embarrassments thank goodness, only a touch of mortification that we have not progressed beyond 'puppy' class, especially as she is now 9 months old. It feels a bit like a 10 year old returning to nursery, still we will persevere and carry on practicing!

Monday 25th. March

so...Monday is almost over...or was that Moanday? It seems like it's been tough to get started today.....must be time for a holiday.

Jack must be having a good time as there's been no updates on the social media...no photos uploaded direct from the slopes....and not even any silly pictures of boys in bars. What's going on? We can only assume that they are playing and partying so hard that there's no energy lest to upload text...let alone photos. Must all be good news we suppose.....

Bex has had a successful first day at ITEX.....so successful that she has tomorrow off...what's all that about? Something to do with people going to Guernsey for the day apparently. Anyway, she returns on Wednesday, works two days and then gets a 4 day weekend.....how there youngsters struggle!

Dan has done a days coffee making today....finishing off the "working day" with a session at the gym.....followed by a shooting session with St. Martin's Rifle Club and then (after a very brief return home) a "nip down the Bay" for an hour or so with uni mates.

Dad should have at shooting as well, but he attended a "Support Option B" meeting this evening. He returned home exhausted.....and has had a haircut just in case he ends up on the TV this week. He tells us that he is publishing a Scrutiny report tomorrow and there's a good chance that the media will want to talk to him. Unfortunately, as he rightly says, they get far more interested in a bad news story....and we hear that dad's review is quite critical of one of our budding States departments....it's bound to be hot news....especially as this week might be a little short of big stories. dad's report will be published tomorrow but embargoed until Wednesday morning....

Mu has done a multitude of stuff today....Tennis, Yoga, School and then netball......and 2 dog walks somewhere in that list.....no wonder she's heading to bed as we type.

That leaves Tom.....who no one seems to have seen today.....there's a light on in his "upstairs" office this evening so we presume that's where he is. If there's dirty dishes on the sideboard when we get up in the morning at least we'll know that he's still alive...even if he hasn't been "spotted"....we won't be sending out the search parties just yet.

The forecast on the tele for overnight isn't too great....some "wintery flurries" according to the nice girl......feeling like 0 degress...lovely......and then the weekend.....Dad says we might get some more snow as the horrible cold weather meets the horrible wet weather....and that meeting might just be right on top of us here in the Channel Islands.....we can hardly wait!   

Sunday 24th March

One of my sons has acquired a new record, not to do with any sport or high flying achievement, oh no far more important than that.....he is now the very first person to have bought and eaten a "Triple decker health wrecker" from the Hungry Man cafe at Rozel. An accolade so high that the owner of the said cafe has taken photographic evidence to use on their forthcoming facebook/website page! (I believe the 'bap' contained three burgers, various onions, salad bits and copious amounts of bacon and cheese.) To say that not only did he relish it, he then went on to spend most of the afternoon bobbing about on the Seafaries rib along the south coast. It makes me feel queasy just thinking about it, the boy must have a cast iron constitution!

The badminton tournament despite the result was good fun, and we were looked after very well by our sister isle. After being unable to field a team for the last two years we were pleased just to get 12 of us over there to play. The photo was taken before we played, so we were still smiling.....

At about 8am I went for a long dog walk  from White rock to Jardin d'Olivet and back, it took about an hour and a half, but I did bump into a friend and had a chat (the only other mad person out and about at that time!)

Palm Sunday and donkey leading ( I could have brought a few back if he had asked) was the order of the day for hubby whilst daughter was finishing off  'case study' homework before her placement begins tomorrow. I tootled off to 'Shape up to Music' with the twins, (check out their new facebook page!) and then managed to get to Grainville tennis club Open Day. Despite the damp weather there had been a few families and their offspring trying out the facilities which is encouraging.  I had a practice with the new ball machine, great fun and keeps you on your toes!

Hubby and I took Jess around the lanes and through the woods this afternoon, so much for catching up on all those little jobs that I keep putting off- still never mind it's Easter next weekend with heavy rain forecast so I'll be able to catch up then!

Saturday 23rd. March

The day has been survived.....Mum has been and come back from a proper good hammering at badminton (disgraceful) and the dog has survived 2 walks at the hands of her lord and master. Jack has survived his outward trip to Meribel, and Dan has survived two lots of part time work....survived enough to go out on the town again with the latest returnees from university.

Mother lost 28 - 2....so we're "not going on about it"....however, we do have to say that, given the inter-island rivalry, this is very disappointing news. However, whilst she was being interrogated by us this evening, it did transpire that they have vastly superior facilities to us over the re....Mum's suggestion that maybe the States should help to "improve things" fell on deaf ears as far as Dad was concerned. 

Jack faired quite a bit better...leaving home at just after 9, his plane took off at 10:15, he was in Geneva before 12, and at his resort less than 2 hours later. His chalet is only 150 yards from the ski lift, and we thought that less than 5 hours from St. Martin to the slopes was pretty good going.....there's already photos been posted on the dreaded social media...it's fair to say that we're all just a little envious. Truth is there's nothing stopping any of us doing exactly the same....who knows what might happen.....but if it does it won't be before all those pesky children have gone back to school!!!

It was "dog city" down on Grouville beach this morning (according to Dad)...he and Bex took Jessie down there for her initial outing. She met up with some of her "friends", one of which included her full sister. This sister obviously takes after their father as she is brown (rather than Jessie's black) and she's also about 50% bigger than Jessie. Our Jess is so much like her Mum, black and white, and about the same size.....the best thing is that, also like her Mum, she never barks. Ma and Pa often comment about how they're not sure if they could cope with a dog that barked all day....but isn't that what normal dogs do?...but then of course we're not a normal family.

Jess went with Dad down through St. Catherine's Woods this afternoon and had a stroll on the beach next to the Lifeboat Station....Dad says that, when he got there, she was about as dirty as he's ever seen her. It turns out that our dog, who was pretty non-excited about anything to do with water, has suddenly decided that water is good fun.....and especially water that is in meadows.....and water that is in mud. Consequently Jessie spends all her time in the wettest parts of the woods now....she was so bad that dad decided he couldn't take her anywhere near the Cafe at the Breakwater, so they turned around after the beach and came back up through the woods.....where Jessie got even dirtier. She ended up having her second hose down of the day when they got back.

As we type, Bex has just returned from her 8 hours at Waitrose, Dan has headed off to town (after accepting a vague invitation to supper at the pub with Mum  and Dad), and Tom has just gone out to visit an old uni friend who is off to Barcelona tomorrow. With Jack now away, that's us all accounted for. Palm Sunday tomorrow.....so plenty of riding on donkeys around the Parish...starting at the school at 10, apparently. We suspect that it may only be Dad who's up and around in time....

Friday 22nd. March

So.....we all knew it would happen.....this evening we have a tumble dryer chock-a-block full and going flat out, warming up the world and adding to Jersey's contribution to climate change. We also have an Aga completely covered in damp clothing in an attempt to dry them out before the morning. Yes, you've guessed it..... Jack is on holiday tomorrow early and he has finally realised that he needs some clean clothes. He's not overly worried, but it's not like he's heading for the Bahamas where he would only need a pair of shorts and a couple of T shirts...he's off to the slopes of Meribel, hence the Aga covered in warm ski type jumpers and the like.

The other person flying off tomorrow is of course her ladyship......there's lots of prayers being said this evening in the hope of keeping the fog away, but we fear that there's a chance that it could be "difficult" in the morning. At least both Jack and Maaa are both on direct flights to their destinations....so there's no connecting flights to worry about at the other end.There's no lifts being offered to the airport, so Mum will take herself and jack will get a lift.....Dad has "dog responsibilities" tomorrow..... We've had dog walking suggestions of St. Brelade's Beach (Crabshack) or maybe St. Ouen's (BigVerns) or maybe even Millbrook (Gunsite)......who knows where he dog will end up getting her "exercise"?

Thursday 21st. March

So....this evening's balmy Mediterranean weather has been dominated by a softwear malfunction.....we could even hear that rather noisy siren from way up here in Rozel.....how loud do they sound in town, we all asked?? Dad says that there'll be some more softwear malfunctions when he gets into town tomorrow.....there will no doubt be questions as to why some things happened and other things didn't happen....but Dad says that we can't tell you what.....spoil sport.

View from St Catherines breakwater, yesterday morning

Weirdly enough, the firefighter was "on the scene" before it all started. He's been at the Yacht Club this evening doing the second part of some radio course. Facebook messages were sent down to him, but judging by the brevity of his responses he must have still been in his exam. We think that texting while he's "in class" is a little naughty....but all least we knew he was okay. We had all the twitter and facebook feeds going flat out (some people thought that aliens had landed from Mars), and it soon became very apparent that the Yacht Club was INSIDE the road closed cordon. No one seems to have gone down South Pier to tell them (but then of course they could probably hear the siren for themselves)....so the question we were asking was "are they locked in?"....that would be a little unlucky....being locked in the bar at the Yacht Club all night!! 

The funniest news we had this evening was that Dad's glasses had fallen apart while he was in a meeting today. Apparently one of the small screws holding them together became unscrewed and the glasses "just fell off his head in pieces".....Dad told us (as we fell about laughing hysterically) that he slowly pushed his chair backwards so he could try to see the screw on the floor. That's where the fun started....how could he look without his glasses? We all had visions of him crawling around on his hands and knees feeling for one tiny little piece of metal....while others tried hard to concentrate on the speaker. well, he came home with all the parts....but just not connected to each other. He needed another pair of glasses in order to put them all back together......and a very small screwdriver kit that Mum (for some inexplicable reason) had for just this purpose....she's not just a pretty face, or so she told us.

The dog seems to have been a little out of sorts this evening.....probably because it was Dan's turn to exercise her this afternoon. He organised for friends (plus another dog) to come around and go for a walk in our woods. Well, as we know, the weather wasn't exactly great...they had a really good run, but it's fair to say that they didn't return quite as dry as they had set out. The dogs had just belted around chasing each other for the whole afternoon....and, while Jessie will happily run ALL day, it doesn't usually do her any good. She has spent the evening being a bit "uncomfortable" and not really settling. No doubt she'll be back on form first thing in the morning....she usually is.

Friday tomorrow.....so, one more day closer to the weekend and Mum's trip to our lovely sister Isle to play badminton.....see how nice we are being this evening......don't say we don't know how to do Entente Cordiale....or however you spell it. Talking of the French, Dad has been asked to go to a series of political meetings in Granville to represent Jersey. Sounds like a tough job, but some one has to do it....or so he tells us....yes, we know.....eating and drinking to be sociable with our French cousins is a really tough job!

Jess enjoying Flicquet beach

Wednesday 20th March

Don't say we're not techy....this evening's blog is being uploaded from a Macbook Pro....how impressive is that....but apparently this one doesn't have the retina display....so we presume that means something to do with eyes...but actually we have no idea what it really means. At least it has the auto correct spell thingy...which will save a LOT of time.

Jack and Tom have both realised that neither of them have seen Dad for over two days now....we can't work out if that's good or bad. Dad has been gone early for the last two days and the boys have been gone by the time he gets back in the evenings. At least there's no opportunity for "discussions" on leaving lights on, or driving methods, or IQ levels, or table manners, or work ethics. Dan was around this evening so at least Dad didn't have total withdrawal symptoms from "stressy boy discussions".

Mum is out (again) ...Zumba and then badminton we think....she's in Guernland on Saturday losing at badders...or at least she is expecting to get well beaten. It's a few years since Jersey won any veterans matches against the old enemy (we're not allowed to call them that anymore according to Dad)....but that won't stop us putting plenty of carrots in Mum's kit bag before she goes....we can't have anyone getting hungry! No doubt she'll have a good time. We suspect that Dad will class her day off the rock as some sort of holiday so he won't have to take her away anywhere......but she's not going to let him forget that he is supposed to be taking her to Wimbledon this year. He'll have to start thinking about organising that soon, otherwise he might start finding that his tea is in the dog....or maybe even the cat!

Talking of the cat....it was still at the door meeoowwing away at 6 this morning waiting for Dad to let it in for its breakfast. You wouldn't have guessed that it had eaten enough food for a month yesterday. We suspect it starting to get a little "old" as it seems to meeooww for food continuously these days. Either that or it is starting to realise that if it annoys us enough then eventually someone feeds it just to shut it up.

Bex back at Highlands tomorrow, Jack "off"...and heading to the slopes on Saturday, and Dan working a lunchtime shift at his beloved Castle Quay....if you fancy a really good cup of coffee in a relaxed and "cool" place then why not pop down.....they even do food!!  ...but thankfully for the customers Dan doesn't actually make it...he just cooks it.

we have no idea where the dog has been walked today...maybe some photos tomorrow....it's time we showed the world what God's own Parish looks like after the "big snow".

Tuesday 19th. March

Yesterday we were all working...today we were doing other things......at one extreme, Dad left at 7:30 and came back at 20:15...and at the other extreme Dan and Jack didn't work at all (well, not properly). Jack is on nights tonight and Dan has been "messing about doing boaty stuff"....doesn't sound much like work to us.

Bex went down to the Hungry Man today...and managed to get on Channel News...well, in the background as the camera panned around.....stardom at long last. Itex for her tomorrow as she does the first stage of her enrollment.....lots of checking to do (passport, certificates etc.) ...but at least it's a day off from College as she isn't feeling quite 100%....she has a "throat".....well, of course she has a throat, she couldn't talk or breathe if she didn't....but we know what she means.

Dad had an "Option B" meeting after the States. There's a referendum coming up in April if you didn't know.....and Option B is the one that gives us superconstituencies AND Constables....Dad is trying to rally support, but at the moment there doesn't seem to be very much enthusiasm from anyone. Hopefully the public will get a little more engaged after Easter.

Our big animal news is that the cat has doubled in weight over the course of the afternoon. The detail is pretty short and sweet.....Mum does dog's dinner ready for dog when it returns from walk.....Dan calls up to say "can you pick me and the dog up from St. Catherine's"....Mum puts dog food on the sideboard and goes to St. Catherine's.....Mum comes back with Dan and dog.....dog food has disappeared, bowl is empty and (an extremely rotund) cat is asleep in the middle of the kitchen floor. The cat was put outside very quickly in case it exploded.....and hasn't been seen since. Dog is not impressed.....the cat had already had his afternoon snack before he decided that the dog's dinner also needed eating. We doubt that Dad will him tomorrow morning either.

Dad came home to, not only the fat cat, but building issues, ITIS issues, boat reservation issues, meeting issues..........what a happy chappy he was by the time it got to 10......time for bed said Zebedee! 

The Woman is out again at Netball this evening.....well, that's what she told us. That's the second night in a row....someone must be pretty desperate...but we're sure she's enjoying herself.

Monday 18th. March

My, isn't it light at 6 o'clock these days? ....more than light enough for a dog walk....
don't be daft! We wouldn't go out walking the dog at that time of the day.....most of us are still asleep. Dan certainly was.....in fact he slept for 11 hour straight, as he proudly told us this evening.

We had all the men of the house working during daylight hours today...Dan had a full day making coffee, ....and came back with lots of interesting stories of meeting interesting people. Jack was playing at firefighting, and Dad had another round of meetings.....Tom must have had a rough day on his website design, as he decided quite out of the blue that he didn't fancy pizza for tea, and promptly went out (probably to watch football)....it was good pizza...we're very lucky to have at least 2 expert pizza makers in the house....it was mums turn this evening....excellent!

Mum went out to...netball?...some sport anyway....yes, netball. She must have had plenty of energy because she only walked twice today (including White Rock to Bouley Bay) and did yoga....and managed to get another 2 new tyres on her car....that's 4 tyres in 2 weeks.....what is she? some sort of female Jenson Button?  Dad should buy some shares in Pirelli.....Mum even goes through more tyres than Thomas. 

States for Dad tomorrow...so if you need some light entertainment then make sure you tune in to Radio Jersey on 1026 fm.....always some comedian or other speaking. No doubt we'll have a run down down on who said what to who and why at supper time tomorrow ......always good to give you indigestion.

Regarding the Charity 'Island friends together'...As yet the shipment has not left, and so I'm putting on another plea..

"I have received a lot of children Videos and DVDs which have been packed to go in the shipment leaving Jersey in 2 - 3 weeks time, heading to two poor schools and an orphanage in Srilanka.

I would be grateful if you could kindly put an advert for used VCR Video players and DVD players, 3 each if we can, so that I can send them to each of the three poor institutions.

At present they do not have any and have never seen these before !"

Many thanks...

 

Sunday 17th. March

We started the day as we left off yesterday by asking the same question....just who is the mythological Roman goddess of orchard fruits? Do we know? No. Do we care? No. Why are we asking? ...because it's one of those ridiculous questions you get in the Telegraph general knowledge crossword on a Saturday. We'd managed quite well actually...and even managed to avoid the usual near fracas when the paper was brought home.....it's not unusual for us fight it out to see who gets first go. Fortunately we were down on family numbers yesterday, so Dad was allowed to start, with others following on....he got well over half before "leaving a few easy ones for others to get"...yeah, we know.....comedian!

A family member who will remain nameless (but he's a boy and his name begins with D) was taking his sea survival course today. He decided (against much family advice) to go "out on the town" last night. He was woken this morning and managed to get himself up somehow...and didn't appear too worse for wear. However, by the time he got home for supper this evening he was almost asleep at the table. No harm done...he took himself off to bed at 730.....but we don't fancy being around when he gets up for work in the morning.

The firefighter started another tour today, and it's all downhill for him this week as he heads off skiing at the weekend. No doubt there'll be the usual clothes panic on Friday night as he tries to pack.....and discovers that all his clothes need washing. He's going somewhere in the Alps with other "boys"....however, it appears that he's not exactly clear as to how he's getting there...sounds like a typically well prepared young farmers away trip....nothing changes.

Bex was back very late from work last night...it happens sometimes when the boat is delayed getting into harbour. The delivery lorry then gets delayed, and last night it only arrived at Waitrose at 22:00..... after which it had to be unloaded and unpacked.We all take it for granted, but working from 1:30 until very late is tough shift, especially when you are "reducing"....and have people all waiting under your feet (literally) to grab the reduced food out of your hand as you put on the sticker. Some of the stories we could tell.....but won't!

Could we at this point make a statement about birds. It has become apparent that one of very few blog readers is very worried about our "hunting" activities. We would like to make it clear that we love animals, especially magpies, crows, herons and puffins.....all "gun" activity has ceased (indeed, it never really started).... we are now busy fixing hot water heaters, radiators in the bathrooms and concentrating very hard on making sure that we have enough road legal vehicles to go around....although we acknowledge that the vehicle one is very unlikely.

Other various family activity today involved (in no particular order) keep fit classes, badminton, the lifeboat, church attendance, football and Grand Prix watching, and two long dog walks. Bex had a friend around this afternoon and they baked a cake (!) and then to cap it off Bex also produced a rather excellent fish curry for supper...(excellent for all except Dan, who was trying hard to stay awake, and had to admit that he'd "had a little something at the Le Hocq at lunchtime") ...his loss was our gain.

Not much on the TV this evening, so we have Legally Blonde on the DvD.....something for everyone I suppose, even the boys. Can Dad stay awake to watch his beloved Chelsea winning on match of the Day?   we doubt it.....but he'll try anyway! 

Saturday 16th March

Saturday 16^th March

Bad timing this morning, I thought as it was set to rain most of the day I would take the dog out early….and so got back just as it stopped….

The newest little 'hobbit'-bless her!

Such an emotional week, I knew that Mothering Sunday was always going to end in ‘tears’ (all happy of course) but didn’t realise that as the week progressed and the snow enveloped the countryside, a huge surge of negative emotions filled  the forefront of my mind. I reckon it was lack of sport coupled with too many solo long dog walks,(to much 'thinking time!) plus the anniversary of the whole sorry saga of treatment. 

A kind doctor friend had sent through some interesting information on an up and coming ‘hot off the press’ new drug (as yet untried) possible treatment for women suffering with Ovarian Cancer. So this morning I did some research, and ended up in a right state, just looking at the survival rates and statistics – it’s just not good. On top of which I STILL have no letter from the hospital about the 10^th April. 

On a much lighter note, two pieces of trivia I shall pass by you. I met ‘woody’ in the woods this morning (a rather endearing old gentleman who was a tree surgeon and is nicknamed Woody) and his dog, where we discussed the plight of the fallen trees. (Well actually, he talked I listened!) He said it was amazing that the beech tree was able to grow on ‘bed rock’ with such little soil as were all the trees in the woods.  Did I know that it is said you can eat the leaves of the beech tree?……… but they do have  a side effect, ‘makes you talk In your sleep’!!! 

I went up to les Ormes today to see Jersey Jets wop some English team, It was an excellent match and very close until the last quarter where the home team ‘took charge’. Anyway another friend when I asked about her new puppy said she’d had to leave the dog at home as she had been munching on toads in the garden and been poisoned(the dog not my friend)- not good!

JP, JN and TN...all watching netball!

This evening hubby and I ventured into the ‘city’ to watch Humble Boy at the Art Centre, an excellent performance we both enjoyed. Well done to all those involved in making it happen, and of course all the proceeds went to prostrate/After breast cancer support group-thanks Jack Higgins!

Talent is God given.

 Be humble.

 Fame is man-given.

 Be grateful.

 Conceit is self-given.

 Be careful.

John Wooden

Friday 15th. March

we were all at home this morning....so that made a pleasant change. Bex off to "school" and others off to meetings...but not too early. Dad had a meeting with the Rector to discuss Parish things...we weren't sure what it was about, but it wasn't to discuss the new Pope anyway. Saying that, jokes apart, dad is BIG on interdenominational stuff....and is always trying to get the various religions to work closer together. Fortunately in St. Martin we do that anyway....a real parish community.

Dan made some coffee at lunchtime, Jack went to help his cousin at Rosel, and dad had time to run Mum into town to buy presents for the latest addition to St. Ouens.....and then a visit to maternity. All good there, and Mum and baby doing fine (not OUR Mum I might add).....

We had a visitor at lunchtime.....Tom from Bournemouth....aka Dan's best mate back from Uni. We asked if that meant that the easter holidays had started, and we were assured they had. There was no doubt about the fact by the evening as the kitchen started to fill up......there were at least seven or eight  extras by the time Mum and Dad got back from their evening out......

......Quiz night at the Parish Hall to raise money for the St. Martin's Twinning Association.  You can't say that they don't push the boat out...Dad drew the raffle, Mum was very upset that he didn't manage to pick any of her tickets. They were home just after 10.....back to house full of students and red noses.

Bex out, Jack out, Tom out.....Saturday tomorrow.....should have guessed.

Dad has discovered that the reason he is so overweight is because of his shampoo. Apparently it says "adds body and volume" on the bottle.....he says he'll be washing his hair in the sink from now on! 

Thursday 14th. March

The blog has been rescued this evening...back from the clutches of the "cabin fevered" woman of the house.....who has popped out this evening to the first official meeting of the new cancer support group that she and Dad have helped to get off the ground. For some totally inexplicable reason they haven't asked the old man to sit on the committee....could it be something to do with the fact that not many men suffer from gynaecological cancers? Anyway...he'll be there helping where he can....and we're sure that there will be many people who will appreciate their efforts.

The day started with various family members getting "back to normal"...Dad was gone before 7:30 with Bex following soon after. Calls were made back to base when Becky hit the traffic (not actually...which was helpful) and she was advised to "stay on the main roads"....anything off the beaten track was not advisable...she got there eventually. We suspect that there were a few drivers that missed their "rat runs" on their way to school....hence the gridlock just after 8. Dad was pleased to in town well before all the yummy mummies filled the road up with their four by fours (Dad left his at home today!!)

Mum took the dog for an outing in the car...but struggled so much to get anywhere that she abandoned the visit to the shop to buy provisions and just parked up (at St. Michael's School) and started walking. She tells us that she ended up at Queen's Valley....eventually returning to car in time to get home. Some of us are less than impressed that Mum now puts food shopping above dog walking....this won't do, and words will have to be spoken when she returns this evening.

Dad took Jessie in the woods when he returned home late afternoon....and came back with more stories of fallen trees. It's not that long ago that the gales took down a lot of branches in the woods and the snow (coupled with the gales) has brought down another load. There's some serious chainsaw work to be done now apparently...but just getting there with any amount of equipment will have to wait until things dry up a bit.

Dan's trip to the Minquiers didn't materialize, unfortunately for him (it would have been a grand run down there today)... but he did get to do some maintenance on the boat. Dad is reminded that he needs to find "a half day" sometime to get his boat ready for the season. No doubt he will try to rope other family members in....especially as he has a bulb to change in a light right on the top of the mast...we can't see him going up any tall ladders, especially on a boat that bobbing around in the harbour. As an aside, Jack is back at the station this evening doing some sort of marine radio course....and Dan has a sea survival exam this Sunday.....we will shortly be the best qualified family on the Island...as the phrase goes.."all the gear, but no idea"....well, we hope not!

One of the letters in tonight's JEP calls for people in Jersey to put winter tyres on their cars....they don't realise that us Luce's are already there...except that we don't let Thomas put his winter tyres on his car....'cause if he does he just goes faster and faster and then comes home and spends all his time racing round Dad's field. So.....think about it....normal, bald, no grip road tyres are actually safer, and better for your health!

There's a quiz night on at the Public Hall tomorrow evening in aid of the Parish Twinning Association. Mum and Dad are apparently going to try to get some of us to turn up....well.....we'll see. Chelsea on the TV this evening...we won't bother to speak to dad for the next hour or so....just as well we have more than 1 tele in the house!

finally....our apologies for the road sign as the background to the blog....you would have thought that blogwoman would have found something in English...disgraceful!

Be careful what you write on this blog, I still have ultimate control........... 

Wednesday 13th March

Wednesday 13^th March

Ok, I’ve had enough now; the lovely white soft powdery snow is quickly turning to slush, I’ve not driven the car for three days and have a bad case of ‘cabin fever’. On the plus side I haven’t had to go shopping (nothing in the shops anyway) and I have enjoyed extremely long dog walks!

My aga benefited from a clean this morning and is gleaming, as are the top of my kitchen cupboards; my ironing is up to date and has been put away! Still doesn’t make up for the missed Pilates, racquetball, yoga, and tennis….

Considering this time last year I was in a High dependence unit at the Marsden hospital, high on morphine and talking gibberish….the only change being I’m not in hospital.

Hubby dropped me and Jessie down at Gorey this morning, where the wind propelled us along the beach at a vast rate of knots. I got as far as Le Hocq before he picked us up again, Jess could have carried on to town and beyond, but I needed lunch!

Dan went into Coopers today, then had a spin on the Seafaries rib so he can gain some experience with this new venture. Jack has been out all day, finishing up with yet more snow clearance in the lanes I had walked in earlier.

Looks like life returns to some normality tomorrow, with schools open and D duties back on track.

I need to get on with some serious training for the Race for Life, less than 12 weeks to go, and I'm not sure if flailing about in snow drifts with the dog counts....

  http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/teamjillyluce

 "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill